FRA finds that push-pull trains are perfectly safe
The FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) released a press release today about a just completed study that indicates that push-pull passenger trains are no less safe that trains operated locomotive forward:
A comprehensive federal study of accident data found that push-pull passenger rail service has an excellent safety record and that a train being pushed has virtually no greater likelihood of derailing after a highway-rail grade crossing collision than one with a locomotive in the lead, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced.
In the letter accompanying the report, FRA Administrator Boardman writes:
Both intercity passenger and commuter rail service are very safe, and are becoming safer. They are much safer than use of personal motor vehicles (the likely alternative for commuters in large urban areas). Therefore, FRA recommends continued emphasis on progressive improvement of passenger rail safety as a whole, rather than abandonment of push-pull service.
Read the FRA Press Release and the full report.
This press release arrived just in time for tomorrows hearing in the California Senate Transportation and Housing Committee about AB 1699, the bill introduced by Assemblyman Frommer after the recent Metrolink accident in Glendale. The bill aims to outlaw operating commuter trains in push-mode.
I hope the esteemed Senators on the committee are all reading the FRA’s report …
[california | fra | caltrain | metrolink | amtrak | coaster | ace]
Posted in: Uncategorized | June 26, 2006 10:13 pm
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